Texas county worried over decrease in patient load

The Harris County, TX, Hospital District is treating a shrinking number of patients in its hospitals and clinics, and some officials are blaming the rise of walk-in clinics at retail outlets and expanded government prescription drug coverage for seniors. District officials are worried as the paying patients are replaced by uninsured charity patients who pay little or nothing. So far in 2008, the district has seen 5.5 percent more charity patients than in 2006.